Half ball exercise device having a rotating platform

ABSTRACT

A Half-Ball Exercise Apparatus or Device for the purpose of physical therapy, strength, and conditioning includes an inflatable portion and a rotating platform. The inflatable portion is attached to the rotating platform.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/517,880.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the area of exercise equipment, and more particularly relates to an apparatus for strength and conditioning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The exercise ball was first made in the 1960's for the purpose of physical therapy for infants. In time, the exercise ball had been re-purposed and directed to athletic training regimens in such sports as football, basketball, and similar sports where injuries are commonplace.

These exercise balls are often used to engage a person's muscle groups throughout a range of motion, as opposed to exercising against a flat, hard surface. Their relative flexibility is particularly useful in working with a wide range of different body types, curvatures, and sizes.

However, one of the principal concerns regarding these exercise balls is the very same property from which it derives its popularity: its spherical shape. Ironically, the same exercise device often used to help athletes, and other people alike recover from injuries is inherently hazardous unless extreme caution is taken. It is not uncommon for users to simply slip or fall right off the ball as they are using the exercise balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the half ball exercise device includes a rotating platform and an inflatable portion. In various implementations of an embodiment, the inflatable portion has a substantially semispherical shape upon inflation.

The features and advantages described in this summary and the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view an embodiment of the present invention.

The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a unique Half-Ball Exercise Apparatus or Device is used for the purpose of rendering services related with physical therapy, as well as strength and conditioning. The embodiments are described in enabling detail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment wherein the half ball exercise device 10 includes a rotating platform 14 and an inflatable portion 12. In one embodiment, the inflatable portion has a substantially semispherical shape upon inflation.

Implementations of an embodiment may provide that the top disc 14 b and the bottom disc 14 a rotate relative to each other through an annular ball bearing track. The annular ball bearing track is disposed between the top disc and the bottom disc. In one embodiment, the inflatable portion is attached to the top disc. In one implementation of an embodiment, the platform is comprised of only one disc 14 a as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4.

In various applications of an embodiment, the rotating platform includes a means for providing resistance with respect to the rotation of the top and bottom discs. A user may either increase the friction, or resistance between the two, thus slowing down the movement of the two discs with respect to each other. Alternatively, a user may reduce the resistance, thereby increasing the relative angular velocity of the two discs with respect to each other. This mechanism may be used to change the degree of challenge imparted to the exercise of the user.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms herein disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. 

1. An Apparatus comprising: an inflatable portion and a rotating platform; the inflatable portion is attached to the rotating platform.
 2. The Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inflatable portion having a substantially semispherical shape.
 3. The Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating platform further comprises a disc.
 4. The Apparatus of claim 3 wherein the inflatable portion is attached to the disc.
 5. An Apparatus comprising: an inflatable portion and a rotating platform; the inflatable portion is attached to the rotating platform; the inflatable portion having a substantially semispherical shape; the inflatable portion is attached to the disc.
 6. A Half-Ball Exercise Device for the purpose of Physical Therapy, Exercise, Strength, or Conditioning comprising: an inflatable portion and a rotating platform; the inflatable portion is attached to the rotating platform; the inflatable portion having a substantially semispherical shape; the inflatable portion is attached to the disc; whereby a user can perform a series of exercises from a variety of angles safely using the half ball which provides rotation in the transverse plane of the user's body. 